Enfield pockets £85,000 for park improvements

Enfield Council has been awarded £85,000 to improve two open spaces in the borough as part of the Mayor of London's Pocket Park's initiative.

The money which was formally agreed on March 18 will be used to create new Pocket Parks in Albany Park in Hertford Road, Edmonton, and in Angel Gardens, Rays Road, Edmonton Green

The improvement works to Albany Park will see access to the park improved and an area, linked to the Albany Park Leisure Centre, will also be created for informal sports games and play. The Council hopes the new Pocket Park will help to open up the high street, kick start the regeneration of the area and encourage more people to use Albany Park, thereby discouraging crime and anti-social behaviour.

The existing site of Angel Gardens is currently derelict and stands between the Montagu Road industrial estate and residential housing in Rays Road and Rays Avenue. The new park will, after consultation with residents, feature a community garden, pedestrian links to Angel Road Station, an outdoor gym and facilities for young people.

The park will enable the development of the Angel Road transport hub, a key feature within the Meridian Water Masterplan.

Enfield Council's Cabinet Member for Business and Regeneration, Cllr Del Goddard, said: "The creation of these Pocket Parks will help to drive the regeneration of these area, instil a sense of pride in the community and help provide high quality open spaces for people to enjoy.

"We are determined to improve the quality of life for our residents and we will continue to identify funding which enables us to deliver high quality community facilities for our residents in the places they are needed most."

Enfield Council's Cabinet Member for Environment, Cllr Chris Bond, said: "We have listened to what residents said and given them the facilities they asked for. Enfield Council is currently experiencing record breaking levels of satisfaction amongst residents because of the high quality of the services we provide and this is yet another excellent example of how we work directly with the community to provide facilities that make a real difference to their lives.

"We'll carry on finding innovative and clever ways of providing first rate services to our residents while providing excellent value for money and ensure every penny counts during these difficult financial times.

"We have a brilliant track record of providing first rate parks in this borough and the addition of two new top notch open spaces will make a significant contribution to improving the quality of our residents lives."